Sony KDL-55XBR8

The huge 55 inch Sony KDL55XBR8 is one of the first few LCD TVs to utilize a new backlight technology called LED-backlight. Till now, the most commonly used and the cheaper alternative for LCD backlight technology is Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL). Among HDTV heavyweights, Sony and Samsung have been trying to outdo each other with cutting-edge, top-of-the-line LED-backlit models that are priced one league above CCFL-lit LCDs.  The XBR8 series represents Sony’s first mass-market attempt at using LED backlighting. The big advantage is black levels you’ve never seen before along with less blooming and off-angle fade.

Key Features

Conventional flourescent lit LCD TVs have backlight dimming and brightness adjustment controls which adjust according to changes in the image. This is also one of the main causes of ‘brightness pumping’ since the entire screen’s brightness changes evenly. On the other hand the Sony KDL55XBR8’s backlight is a  combination of blue, red and green LEDs known as TriLuminous arrangement which produces a larger degree of contrast.

Additionally, the XBR8 has the new Advanced Contrast Enhancer PRO (ACE PRO) technology which uses Sony’s own algorithm for local dimming. This greatly improves contrast and dynamic range by controlling the LED backlight level by area so that detail is maintained in the dark areas, while other areas are driven near peak brightness. The technology reduces unnecessary light emission resulting in true, deep blacks and reduced power consumption compared to conventional CCFL backlit models.

The KDL-55XBR8 has a MotionFlow 120Hz refresh rate, which helps clean up blurring in motion and works hand-in-hand with the Sony’s proprietary “Motion Enhancer” dejudder video processing.  Sony touts the Bravia Engine Pro processor on the XBR8 series as an improvement over the Sony XBR6 series that gets only Bravia Engine 2.

Sony KDL55XBR8 also has the DMex (Digital Media Extender) USB expansion port which is located on the back panel which has four different modules that are available separately. It also has a Wireless link that allows you to connect to the internet through your home wireless network from the comfort of your favorite TV viewing spot. It also has another USB port which can be used upload JPG images and MP3 music. These photographs can be shared through any DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) by attaching your router port to the TV’s Ethernet port. You can have slide shows and even have background music while you watch them.

Physically the KDL-55XBR8 has a great layout and buttons are strategically placed. Buttons for menu, inputs, TV guide on screen and channel management are located together. The menu system is styled on the Sony’s Xross Media Bar (XMB) which means that the main menu is laid out horizontally and sub-menus branch vertically.

Actual user review:
“I actually own one. It is hard to imagine how a picture on a TV based on the current ATSC encoding could look any better. The blacks are “black-black”. The colors are intense. The picture is bright. The only limitation I can see has more to do with the source material than with the TV itself. The results with a good blu-ray disk are, well, get your popcorn and 64 oz cup of soda because it is better than a movie theater since it is brighter.” – R.Smith

 

Connectivity

Connectivity on the KDL-55XBR8 matches that of most higher-end HDTVs available today. There is a total of 4 HDMI inputs, 3 at the back and one on the side. Also included are 2 Component Video jacks and a VGA-style PC input among others. The big Sony works really well as a big-screen computer monitor too. It is able to resolve every line of a 1,920×1,080-pixel source with no overscan or edge enhancement and delivering crisp, clear text at the same time.

Conclusion

The Sony KDL-55XBR8 is certainly one of the best-performing flat-panel TV in the market today, albeit at a steep price. It delivers picture quality that’s jaw droppingly realistic with high definition sources. Black level and color accuracy are nothing short of stunning.

• “This television is fantastic – only problem is ….it’s too good! It reveals all of the garbage signals that the hd providers are outputting! The various compression techniques, the huge breakups and distortions, out of focus imagery – All is revealed in larger than life quality on this monitor! But, that’s why I got it. This TV is directly connected to an HD editorial suite for client viewing and when monitoring a fully uncompressed HD 4:2:2 image via HDMI from the edit suite it’s amazing. Bluray is great too!” – C.White (CA,USA)
• “I bought this TV more than a week ago. Picture quality: Blu-ray – Excellent; Regular DVD – Very Good; Regular TV programming – Average; Sound quality: Very Good. “ – M.Yu (TX,USA)

Average User Rating:

 

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